Elon Musk ordered a slowdown of SpaceX’s satellite communications service used by Ukraine’s military, disrupting drone operations as the country continues to defend against Russian attacks, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

The newspaper cited US officials and other people familiar with the matter, reporting that Musk ordered restrictions on a military-grade version of the satellite system last week. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report, while Musk, SpaceX and the White House did not immediately respond to its requests for comment.

The restrictions reportedly hampered Ukraine’s ability to conduct both offensive drone missions and defensive operations, including efforts to intercept Russian attack drones.

Speed restrictions disrupted military operations

Ukrainian officials reported on Oct. 14 that some Starlink terminals mounted on military drones had been prevented from operating at speeds above approximately 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour).

The unexpected restriction disrupted several missions, according to Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian military units also reported operational difficulties following the change.

Starlink provides satellite internet connectivity that Ukrainian forces use for battlefield communications and drone operations. The restrictions were particularly concerning for interceptor drones tasked with countering Russia’s faster, jet-powered attack drones.

Although Ukrainian officials said connectivity had been restored in some circumstances by Oct. 15, subsequent reports indicated that speed limits and other disruptions remained a concern. Kyiv also held discussions with SpaceX and US officials about lifting the restrictions.

Washington denies ordering the slowdown

The circumstances surrounding the decision have become a point of dispute between Washington, Kyiv and SpaceX.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that decisions about Ukraine’s access to Starlink were a matter for Musk and his company, rather than the White House. He said he was not aware that the US government had known about the decision beforehand, describing access as governed by commercial contractual terms.

US President Donald Trump has also denied responsibility for the restrictions. However, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Trump discussed the matter both before and after the slowdown, citing people familiar with the discussions. Reuters has separately reported that US and Western officials attributed the decision to the White House, an account the administration has disputed.

Musk previously argued that restrictions on the military-grade Starshield system were ultimately determined by the US military and the president. The distinction between Starlink, SpaceX’s commercial satellite internet service, and Starshield, its military-oriented system developed for government use, has added to the confusion surrounding the episode.

Ukraine’s dependence on satellite communications

The episode has renewed concerns about Ukraine’s dependence on privately operated satellite infrastructure for critical military communications.

Starlink has played a significant role in maintaining communications across Ukraine, particularly where conventional networks have been damaged or are unavailable. Its use in drone operations has also made service restrictions a matter of immediate operational importance.

The latest dispute highlights how decisions by a private technology provider can have consequences on the battlefield, while the conflicting accounts from US and Ukrainian officials leave questions about responsibility and the full extent of the restrictions unresolved. (ILKHA)